Ometek 40mg Capsules

Omeprazole lowers the amount of acid your stomach makes. In this form it comes as tiny coated pellets, usually inside a capsule. The coating protects the medicine from stomach acid so it can be absorbed.

It is used for heartburn, acid reflux (GORD) and stomach ulcers, and with antibiotics to clear H. pylori infection.

Take it as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually in the morning, with or without food.

• Swallow the capsule whole with half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the pellets.
• If swallowing is hard, you can open the capsule and stir the pellets into still water, an acidic fruit juice (such as apple or orange) or apple sauce. Take it straight away or within 30 minutes, then rinse the glass with water and drink that too.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless your next dose is nearly due. Never take two doses together.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• tummy pain, feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea or constipation
• wind

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or trouble breathing
• blistering, peeling or a widespread rash with fever
• yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine
• a rash on sun-exposed skin with joint pain
• fever with sore throat or mouth ulcers
• passing less urine, or blood in the urine

Long-term use can lower vitamin B12 and may make bones more likely to break.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had a reaction to omeprazole or a similar medicine (such as lansoprazole or pantoprazole)
• have liver or kidney problems, or thin bones (osteoporosis)
• have lost weight without trying, have trouble swallowing, vomit blood or pass black stools
• take warfarin, clopidogrel, digoxin, methotrexate, phenytoin, St John's wort, or HIV medicines such as nelfinavir or atazanavir
• are due a blood test for Chromogranin A
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Some capsules contain sucrose. Tell your doctor if you have been told you cannot tolerate some sugars.

Store below 25°C in the original package to protect from moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Hidden problems: omeprazole can mask signs of more serious stomach problems. See a doctor if your symptoms do not improve or you notice warning signs like weight loss or vomiting blood.

Long-term use: if you take it for more than a year, your doctor may want regular check-ups.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: it is usually considered acceptable, but ask your doctor or pharmacist first.